Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 43, Shloka 15
गङ्गावतरणम्
The Descent of the Gaṅgā and Bhagiratha’s Fulfilment
गगनाच्छङ्करशिरस्ततो धरणिमाश्रिता।। ।।व्यसर्पत जलं तत्र तीव्रशब्दपुरस्कृतम्।
gaganāc chaṅkara-śiras tato dharaṇim āśritā | vyasarpata jalaṃ tatra tīvra-śabda-puraskṛtam ||
Du ciel, elle tomba sur la tête de Śaṅkara, puis de là vint se poser sur la terre ; et les eaux se répandirent, comme précédées d’un fracas puissant et retentissant.
Then the earth looked bright with the fallen and falling shoals of fish, turtles and multitudes of other sea-animals.
FAQs
Dharma appears as regulated power: even a sacred force must be mediated so it benefits the world without causing harm.
Gaṅgā descends from heaven, is borne by Śiva, and then released to the earth with tremendous sound and force.
Śiva’s protective restraint—holding and channeling overwhelming energy for the world’s good.